1.Construction and analysis of machine learning models for preoperative prediction of glioma grading and isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation status
Yuting WANG ; Junle ZHU ; Shuang QIN ; Saifei SUN ; Xin ZHANG ; Qi LÜ
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):3-15
Objective To construct machine learning models based on preoperative inflammatory and radiological features for the prediction of glioma grading and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status, and to analyze application values of these models and identify the optimal predictive models. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of pathologically confirmed glioma patients admitted to Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University from March 2019 to March 2023. LASSO regression was used to screen feature variables, and predictive models were constructed based on logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosting decision tree (XGBoost) and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithms. The model performance was comprehensively evaluated using metrics including discrimination ability, area under the precision-recall curve (AUC), accuracy, F1 score and Brier score. The DeLong test was adopted to compare the AUC values among different models; Friedman rank-sum test was used to determine the overall performance differences of the models, with the Nemenyi test applied for multiple comparison correction. Results In the task of glioma grading prediction, the LR model achieved the highest comprehensive score (0.726), and no significant difference was observed between the LR model and the other four models; age was positively correlated with glioma grading (P=0.003). In the task of IDH mutation status prediction, the XGBoost model obtained the highest comprehensive score (0.832), which was superior to the LR (0.762, P=0.035) and KNN models (0.754, P=0.025), while no statistical differences were found between the XGBoost model and the RF or SVM models. Conclusions The LR model for glioma grading prediction and XGBoost model for IDH mutation prediction constructed based on a task-oriented strategy achieve a favorable interpretability while ensuring optimized performance, thereby providing reliable decision support for the individualized diagnosis and treatment of glioma.
2.He's Yangchao decoction ameliorates premature ovarian insufficiency by regulating 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 in mice.
Renxin HU ; Ying ZHAO ; Yu WU ; Yuting ZHANG ; Qing LIU ; Fangxuan LIN ; Qin ZHANG ; Chenyun MIAO
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;():1-11
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the molecular mechanism by which He's Yangchao Decoction (HSYC) improves ovarian function in a mouse model of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).
METHODS:
Forty ICR mice were used to establish a POI model via intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide and were randomly assigned to four groups: model control group, low-dose HSYC group, high-dose HSYC group, and estradiol group (positive control). Additionally, 10 age-matched ICR mice were selected as the blank control group. After intragastric intervention, the ovarian index, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and ovarian tissue expression of the FSH receptor (FSHR) were measured. A POI cell model was established by treating the human granulosa tumor cell line (KGN) with 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide. The cells were divided into four groups: solvent control group, HSYC group, inhibitor control group, and inhibitor+HSYC group, which were respectively treated with TH5487 (an OGG1 inhibitor) and HSYC-containing serum. The expressions of OGG1, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) oxidative damage markers, and pyroptosis-related proteins were detected by molecular docking, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence.
RESULTS:
Compared with the blank control group, the model control group showed a decreased ovarian index (P<0.05) and increased serum FSH levels (P<0.01). The ovarian index was higher in both the low- and high-dose HSYC groups compared with the model control group (both P<0.05). FSHR expression in ovarian tissue was lower in the model control group than that in the blank control group, but was higher in the high-dose HSYC group compared with the model control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinity between the active components of HSYC and OGG1 (binding energy: -6.3 to -8.3 kcal/mol). Western blotting analysis revealed that OGG1 protein expression in the ovaries of the model control group was significantly reduced compared with the blank control group, while it was increased in the low-dose HSYC group and the estradiol group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Immunofluorescence results demonstrated that the expression levels of mito-chondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) were decreased in the model control group compared with the blank control group (P<0.01), whereas their expressions were significantly elevated in the high-dose HSYC group and the estradiol group (all P<0.01). Cell experiments showed that TH5487 intervention increased the expression of 8-oxoguanine (8-OxoG) (P<0.01), while HSYC-containing serum intervention reduced 8-OxoG expression and increased TFAM expression (P<0.01). The expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (GSDMD, N-GSDMD, caspase-1, IL-1β) increased after TH5487 intervention (P<0.05), whereas HSYC-containing serum suppressed their expression (all P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
HSYC improves POI by upregulating OGG1 expression, mitigating mtDNA oxidative damage, and inhibiting granulosa cell pyroptosis.
3.A chemotherapy nano-booster unlocks wider therapeutic window for prostate cancer treatment.
Rui LIAO ; Yuequan WANG ; Ziqi LIN ; Yuting WANG ; Hongyuan ZHANG ; Qin CHEN ; Shenwu ZHANG ; Jin SUN ; Zhonggui HE ; Cong LUO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3273-3290
Clinical chemotherapy for prostate cancer is still compromised by high treatment thresholds and severe off-target toxicity of drugs. Given the limited progress in improving therapeutic outcomes and reducing toxicity with the existing toolbox, efforts to broaden the chemotherapeutic window are highly desired. Here, we discover that gossypol (GSP, a natural compound) dramatically enhances the chemosensitivity of cabazitaxel (CTX), even at previously ineffective concentrations. Based on this interesting finding, we exploit a carrier-free chemotherapeutic nano-booster for prostate cancer treatment, which is molecularly co-assembled by GSP and cabazitaxel (CTX). GSP not only readily forms nanoassembly with CTX, but also functions as a chemotherapeutic enhancer that unlocks an ultra-low-dose chemotherapeutic window. Not only that, precise dual-drug nanoassembly confers CTX a significantly larger maximum tolerable dose. As expected, the nano-booster exerts striking therapeutic benefits in mouse prostate tumor xenograft models. This study advances chemotherapeutic window expansion and self-sensitized chemotherapy toward clinical applicability.
4.A novel dual-targeting strategy of nanobody-driven protein corona modulation for glioma therapy.
Yupei ZHANG ; Shugang QIN ; Tingting SONG ; Zhiying HUANG ; Zekai LV ; Yang ZHAO ; Xiangyu JIAO ; Min SUN ; Yinghan ZHANG ; Guang XIE ; Yuting CHEN ; Xuli RUAN ; Ruyue LIU ; Haixing SHI ; Chunli YANG ; Siyu ZHAO ; Zhongshan HE ; Hai HUANG ; Xiangrong SONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4917-4931
Glioma represents the most prevalent malignant tumor of the central nervous system, with chemotherapy serving as an essential adjunctive treatment. However, most chemotherapeutic agents exhibit limited ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This study introduced a novel dual-targeting strategy for glioma therapy by modulating the formation of nanobody-driven protein coronas to enhance the brain and tumor-targeting efficiency of hydrophobic cisplatin prodrug-loaded lipid nanoparticles (C8Pt-Ls). Specifically, nanobodies (Nbs) with fibrinogen-binding capabilities were conjugated to the surface of C8Pt-Ls, resulting in the generation of Nb-C8Pt-Ls. Within the bloodstream, Nb-C8Pt-Ls could bound more fibrinogen, forming the protein corona that specifically interacted with LRP-1, a receptor highly expressed on the BBB. This interaction enabled a "Hitchhiking Effect" mechanism, facilitating efficient trans-BBB transport and promoting effective brain targeting. Additionally, the protein corona interacted with LRP-1, which is also overexpressed in glioma cells, achieving precise tumor targeting. Computational simulations and SPR detection clarified the molecular interaction mechanism of the Nb-fibrinogen-(LRP-1) complex, confirming its binding specificity and stability. Our results demonstrated that this strategy significantly enhanced C8Pt accumulation in brain tissues and tumors, induced apoptosis in glioma cells, and improved therapeutic efficacy. This study provides a novel framework for glioma therapy and underscores the potential of protein corona modulation-based dual-targeting strategies in advancing treatments for brain tumors.
5.Effect of cathepsin B/NLRP3 pathway on M1/M2 polarization of macrophages induced by LPS
Yibo WANG ; Yuting DAI ; Jiangxiao CAI ; Zhonglin LI ; Weiwei QIN ; Lixin SUN ; Wei HAN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(1):63-68
Objective:To evaluate the effect of cathepsin B(CTSB)/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)pathway on the polarization of macrophages induced by LPS.Methods:The well-growing RAW264.7 mouse mononuclear macrophage lines were cultured in vitro and divided into 3 groups(n=6)according to the random number table method:control group(C group),LPS group(L group)and LPS+CA074-me(CTSB inhibitors)group(B group).C group was cultured normally for 24 h,L group was cultured with LPS concentration of 1 μg/ml medium for 24 h.B group was pretreated with CTSB inhibitor CA074-me 30 μmol/L for 1 h before LPS induction,and co-cultured with LPS concentration of 1 μg/ml medium for 24 h.After 24 hours,the morphological changes of the cells were observed by microscope,the concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant were determined by ELISA.The ex-pressions of cathepsin B precursor(pro-CTSB),mature cathepsin B(mature-CTSB),NLRP3,apoptosis-related speck protein(ASC)and apoptosis-related speck protein-1(caspase-1)were detected by Western blot.The mRNA expression levels of CD32,inducible ni-tric oxide synthase(iNOS),arginase 1(Arg-1)and CD206 were detected by qRT-PCR.The positive expression rates of M1 macro-phage surface marker CD86 and M2 macrophage surface marker CD206 were detected by flow cytometry.Results:Compared with group C,the morphology of cells in groups L and B became larger and pseudopodia appeared.The concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatant were increased,the expressions of pro-CTSB,mature-CTSB,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 were increased,and the expressions of CD32,iNOS mRNA were up-regulated and the positive rates of CD86 and CD206 were increased(P<0.01).Arg-1 and CD206 mRNA in group B were up-regulated(P<0.01).Compared with group L,the pseudopodia of group B were reduced,and the morphology was closer to group C.The concentration of IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant,the expression of mature-CTSB,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1,CD32 and iNOS mRNA and the positive rate of CD86 were down-regulated in group B.The expression of pro-CTSB,Arg-1 and CD206 mRNA and the positive rate of CD206 were increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Inhibition of CTSB/NLRP3 pathway can reduce the inflammatory response,reduce the LPS-induced polarization of RAW264.7 cells to M1 macrophages,and pro-mote their polarization to M2 macrophages.
6.Predictive value of tumor morphology in hepatocellular carcinoma immunotherapy
Wei WANG ; Yongshuai WANG ; Qin PENG ; Yuting CAI ; Jizhou WANG ; Lianxin LIU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(2):257-265
Objective:To investigate the predictive value of tumor morphology in hepatoce-llular carcinoma (HCC) immunotherapy.Methods:The propensity score matching and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 227 HCC patients who underwent immunotherapy in The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from January 2021 to December 2023 were collected. There were 203 males and 24 females, aged (57±11)years. Of the 227 patients, 93 patients with regular tumor morphology of HCC evaluated by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were divided into the regular morphology group, and 134 patients with irregular tumor morphology of HCC evaluated by CT or MRI were divided into the irregular morphology group. Observation indicators: (1) propensity score matching and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching; (2) analysis of factors affecting prognosis of patients; (3) prognosis of patients after propensity score matching. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rate and draw survival curve. The Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Propensity score matching was done by the 1∶1 nearest neighbor matching method, with a caliper value of 0.02. Results:(1) Propensity score matching and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching. Of 227 HCC patients undergoing immunotherapy, 164 cases were successfully matched, including 82 cases in the regular morphology group and 82 cases in the irregular morphology group. After propensity score matching, the elimination of patients who underwent radical surgical resection in the past, tumor number and alpha fetoprotein confounding bias ensured comparability between the two groups. (2) Analysis of factors affecting prognosis of patients. Results of multivariate analysis showed that body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2 and irregular tumor morphology were independent risk factors affecting overall survival time of patients ( hazard ratio=0.891, 1.870, 95% confidence interval as 0.825-0.963, 1.151-3.038, P<0.05). (3) Prognosis of patients after propensity score matching. After propensity score matching, the median progression-free survival time was 11.9(95% confidence interval as 9.2-16.1)months for patients in the regular tumor morphology group and 6.4(95% confidence interval as 4.4-8.1)months for patients in the irregular tumor morphology group, the 1-year progress-free survival rate was 48.48% for patients in the regular tumor morphology group and 22.25% for patients in the irregular tumor morphology group. There was a significant difference in progress-free survival between patients in the regular tumor morphology group and the irregular tumor morphology group ( χ2=16.000, P<0.05). The median overall survival time was 27.2(95% confidence interval as 23.7-not reached)months for patients in the regular tumor morphology group and 18.1 (95% confidence interval as 15.8-20.8)months for patients in the regular tumor morphology group, the 1-year overall survival rate was 83.27% for patients in the regular tumor morphology group and 66.98% for patients in the irregular tumor morphology group. There was a significant difference in overall survival between patients in the regular tumor morphology group and the irregular tumor morphology group ( χ2=13.400, P<0.05). Conclusions:Tumor morphology has a predictive value for the efficacy of immunotherapy for HCC. Compared with HCC patients of regular tumor morphology, immunotherapy is less effective in patients with irregular tumor morphology.
7.The Scientific Connotation of"Heart and Brain Co-Dominating the Mind"and Its Application in the Treatment of Insomnia by Acupuncture
Yuting ZHANG ; Shan QIN ; Xiaoqiu WANG ; Liyu LIN ; Mufeng LI ; Wenzhong WU ; Chengyong LIU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(2):181-188
The paper discusses the scientific connotation of"heart and brain co-dominating the mind",including the connotation of"heart and brain co-dominating the mind"in traditional Chinese medicine and the physiological and pathological relationship be-tween heart and brain in modern medicine.Based on the understanding of"heart and brain co-dominating the mind",this paper be-lieves that"restlessness of mind"is the core pathogenesis of insomnia,and regulating mind is the key to the acupuncture and moxibus-tion treatment of insomnia.The autonomic nervous system(ANS)is a bridge connecting the heart and brain,and is closely related to the central anatomy,neurotransmitters and physiological rhythms of sleep.The imbalance of ANS is highly consistent with the patho-genesis of"heart and brain restlessness"in traditional Chinese medicine.The Governor Vessel runs through the brain and the heart,and the"Governor Vessel regulating spirit acupuncture"can communicate the heart and brain,regulate ANS function,and thus im-prove sleep quality.
8.The application of virtual avatar in anorexia nervosa
Yuting HU ; Miao CHEN ; Yue LI ; Jianxing QIN ; Long CHENG ; Yong XU ; Ying WU
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(1):54-59
Virtual avatar possesses unique advantages such as high degree of realism,immersion and visualization,and the research on applying it to the assessment and treatment of anorexia nervosa is increasing year by year.In terms of assessment,there are mainly avatar versions of the figure rating scales,yes-no tasks and its variations,method of adjustment,and the use of virtual cylinder technique.In terms of treatment,there are mainly intervention methods based on virtual avatar exposure therapy,body swapping illusions,perceptual/attention training and self-empowerment,as well as some new potential interventions.Overall,the current research around anorexia nervosa using virtual avatar techniques is still in its early stages and there is still a lot of room for further exploration.
9.Clinical characteristics and risk factors of human cytomegalovirus infection in pediatric patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Yuting HU ; Guangyu XUE ; Shunqiao FENG ; Qin LUO ; Yingli QU ; Jin CAO ; Wenyan TIAN ; Feng HE ; Haijun DU ; Chen GAO ; Qinqin SONG ; Hailan YAO ; Jun HAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(3):345-352
Objective:To analyze the risk factors for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in pediatric recipients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods:Clinical data of children who underwent first allo-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed from March 2017 to November 2024. A total of 259 pediatric allo-HSCT recipients were analyzed through comparing HCMV infection group (n=115) and Non-HCMV infection group (n=144). Clinical characteristics were compared, and risk factors for HCMV infection were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results:The result of univariate analysis showed that adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), length of hospitalization, duration of antiviral therapy, and bacterial infection were significantly associated with HCMV infection in pediatric allo-HSCT recipients ( P<0.05). The result of multivariate analysis showed that ALD was an independent protective factor against HCMV infection of allo-HSCT recipients ( P<0.05) [OR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.86], while umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) was an independent risk factor for HCMV infection in allo-HSCT recipients ( P<0.05) [OR=6.13, 95% CI: 1.34-28.04]. When the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting post-transplant relapse based on HCMV viral load was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.55-0.94, P=0.014) and at the cutoff value of 3×10 3 copies/ml, the sensitivity and specificity for predicting relapse were 81.13% and 66.67%, respectively. Conclusions:HCMV infection in pediatric allo-HSCT recipients may lead to longer hospitalization and increased risk of relapse.
10.Analysis of human bocavirus characteristics in children with acute respiratory infections in Bengbu City, Anhui province, 2024
Xinyue CHEN ; Yingli QU ; Jin CAO ; Wenyan TIAN ; Guangyu XUE ; Yuting HU ; Qin LUO ; Qinqin SONG ; Haijun DU ; Guoyong MEI ; Zhiqiang XIA ; Juan SONG ; Jun HAN ; Guoyu LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(2):214-218
Objective:To determine the epidemiological characteristics of human bocavirus (HBoV) in children with acute respiratory infections (ARI) in Bengbu City, Anhui Province, in 2024.Methods:Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from 269 children with ARI in Bengbu City, Anhui Province, in 2024. Seventeen respiratory pathogens were screened using quantitative fluorescence PCR. For HBoV-positive samples, the VP1/VP2 structural gene fragments of HBoV were amplified and sequenced for genetic evolutionary analysis.Results:Among the 269 nasopharyngeal swab samples from children with ARI, the overall detection rate of respiratory pathogens was 48.33% (103/269). The top three pathogens with the highest detection rates were: Influenza A virus (FluA): 10.04% (27/269), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): 8.18% (22/269), Human bocavirus (HBoV): 7.43% (20/269). The age distribution of HBoV-infected children showed that the detection rate was highest in the 0-2 years age group (50%, 10/20), followed by the 3-5 years age group (25%, 5/20) and the over 6 years age group (25%, 5/20). However, there was no statistically significant difference in viral detection rates among the age groups. Genetic evolutionary analysis based on VP1/VP2 revealed that all 13 HBoV strains were of the HBoV-1 genotype.Conclusions:HBoV is one of the major pathogens causing ARI in children in Bengbu City, Anhui Province, in 2024, with HBoV-1 being the predominant genotype. Additionally, infants aged 0-2 years are the most susceptible population to HBoV infection.

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